u/FedUpDownNOut

Schedule P/C (formerly Schedule F) was issued in a final rule in February, and the only piece left to put it in effect is an executive order designating which positions move to the new schedule. That order could seemingly drop any day now, immediately designating an unknown number of employees as at-will and able to be let go without cause or due process.

Should those of us seeking FDR be worried if we're in the cross hairs of Schedule F? If an employee gets moved to Schedule F, could that limit options to pursue FDR? What if an employee is actually terminated under Schedule F with potentially no official cause or a poorly substantiated cause?

I kind of feel like I'm in a race against time with this to build my medical record and put in my documents before I get rescheduled.

At least one doctor needs to provide narrative statements that support your claim by addressing the diagnoses, specifying how the symptoms prevent useful performance in at least one job element and/or attendance/conduct problems, and stating a long-term prognosis of at least 12 months.

Thus part of the process becomes asking doctors to write such a letter, which in many cases seems to require some finesse.

After a long gap in treatment history when I wasn't seeing anyone about it, I started talking to my current primary and got FMLA related to my mental health conditions a little over 1 year ago. About 2 months ago, I started seeing a therapist, and about a week ago I saw a psychiatrist, who updated my diagnoses and prescribed multiple meds, an intensive outpatient program, and more FMLA.

Prior to this, I have only very distant, spotty treatment history from when I successfully pursued a reasonable accommodation about a decade ago.

Since it's still early in the new treatment plans, I'm reluctant to jump the gun by asking for support in a disability claim too soon. The doctors surely want to give the treatment plan a chance before declaring anything permanent, and I also assume OPM is looking for at least some treatment history.

In another month or so, though, I'll have a treatment history of 3 months therapy, intensive outpatient program, and multiple meds, so if nothing has improved I think it would start to be appropriate to bring up disability retirement at that point. I actually did broach the subject with my therapist already, and they're on board if I choose to go this route, but they are not a MD so their input is basically supplemental. I still need to eventually ask my psychiatrist and possibly primary care doc.

Thoughts? How did you approach asking your doctor(s) for the letter and support in your claim? How long was your treatment history with the doctor(s) at the time? How long of a treatment history do you think doctors and/or OPM expect to see before disability retirement is considered?